50 YEARS | 50 PHOTOGRAPHS

selected by Wilhelm Schürmann

EXHIBITION Apr 26 — Dec 20, 2024

ED VAN DER ELSKEN (1925-1990)

Self-portrait with Ata Kando, Paris, 1952

gelatin silver print, printed 1996

25 x 36,7 cm

Nederlands Fotomuseum © Ed van der Elsken

LEE FRIEDLANDER (*1934)

Topless Bridesmaid, 1967

gelatin silver print, printed later

32,7 x 21,6 cm

© 2024 Lee Friedlander

GABRIELE AND HELMUT NOTHHELFER (*1945; *1945)

Junger Polizist mit Spiegelbrille am "Tag der offenen Tür" in der Schule der Bereitschaftspolizei in Ruhleben, Berlin / Young policeman wearing mirror sunglasses at the "open house" of the riot police school in Ruhleben, Berlin, 1975

gelatin silver print, printed ca. 1975

21,4 x 29,7 cm

© Gabriele und Helmut Nothhelfer / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024

ED VAN DER ELSKEN (1925-1990)

Amsterdam, Nieuwmarkt, 1956

gelatin silver print, printed ca. 1956

23,2 x 31 cm

Nederlands Fotomuseum © Ed van der Elsken

KIYOSHI NIIYAMA (1911-1969)

Morning Glory, 1962

gelatin silver print, printed ca. 1962

29,3 x 20,4 cm

© Estate of the Artist

HELMUT NEWTON (1920-2004)

Jenny Kapitän, Pension Dorian, Berlin (ehem. "Salon Kitty", Gisebrechtstr., Berlin), 1977

gelatin silver print, printed ca. late 1990s

36,3 x 24,2 cm

© The Helmut Newton Estate / Maconochie Photography

RALPH GIBSON (*1939)

Untitled, from the series 'Deja-vu', 1973

gelatin silver print, mounted, printed ca. 1973

21,5 x 32,3 cm

© Ralph Gibson

LISETTE MODEL (1901-1983)

Bois de Boulogne, 1938

gelatin silver print, mounted, printed not later than 1981

50,2 x 40 cm

© 2024 Estate of Lisette Model

HELGA PARIS (1938-2024)

Untitled, from 'The Portfolio: Self Portraits, Berlin 1981-1989', 2010

gelatin silver print, printed later

30 x 20 cm

© Nachlass Helga Paris / Estate Helga Paris

HELGA PARIS (1938-2024)

Untitled, from 'The Portfolio: Self Portraits, Berlin 1981-1989', 2010

gelatin silver print, printed later

30 x 20 cm

© Nachlass Helga Paris / Estate Helga Paris

HELGA PARIS (1938-2024)

Untitled, from 'The Portfolio: Self Portraits, Berlin 1981-1989', 2010

gelatin silver print, printed later

30 x 20 cm

© Nachlass Helga Paris / Estate Helga Paris

F.C. GUNDLACH (1926-2021)

Kandidatinnen der Wahl der Miss Germany, Bielefeld / Candidates of Miss Germany Beauty Contest, Bielefeld, 1954

gelatin silver print, printed ca. 1954

30 x 40,3 cm

© Estate of F.C. Gundlach

ALBERT RENGER-PATZSCH (1897-1966)

Triebwerk einer Lokomotive / Power Centre of a Locomotiv, 1925

gelatin silver print, printed ca. 1925

16,8 x 21 cm

© Ann und Jürgen Wilde, Zülpich / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2024

BERND AND HILLA BECHER (1931–2007; 1934–2015)

Untitled (Groningen, NL, Lime Kilns), 1968

gelatin silver print, mounted, printed c. 1968

30 x 40,5 cm

© Estate of Bernd and Hilla Becher

AARON SISKIND (1903-1991)

New York I, 1951

gelatin silver bromide print, printed later

40,8 x 53 cm

© 2024 Estate of Aaron Siskind

KENNETH JOSEPHSON (*1932)

Chicago, 1961

gelatin silver print, printed 2007

20,3 x 30,5 cm

© Kenneth Josephson

ROBERT FRANK (1924-2019)

Street Line, New York City, 1951

gelatin silver print, printed 1953

34,7 x 23,2 cm

© June Leaf and Robert Frank Foundation

RAY K. METZKER (1931-2014)

Philadelphia, 1963

gelatin silver print, printed ca. 1963

18,1 x 23,1 cm

© Estate of Ray Metzger

HENRI CARTIER-BRESSON (1908–2004)

Madrid, Spain, 1933

gelatin silver bromide print, printed ca. 1990s

29,8 x 44,8 cm

© 2024 Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson

ARNO FISCHER (1927–2011)

Ostberlin, Silvester 1989/90 / East Berlin, New Year's Eve 1989/90

early gelatin silver print

23,1 x 35 cm

© Erbengemeinschaft Arno Fischer

OTTO STEINERT (1915-1978)

Saarländisches Industriewerk II / Saarland Industry Plant II, 1950

gelatin silver print, mounted, printed ca. 1950

39,9 x 29,7 cm

© Estate Otto Steinert, Fotografische Sammlung, Museum Folkwang, Essen

MINOR WHITE (1908-1976)

Sandblaster, from the series 'Intimations of Desaster, San Francisco', 1949

gelatin silver print, mounted, printed ca. 1972

21,6 x 25,2 cm

© Minor White Archive, Princeton University Art Museum

WILHELM SCHÜRMANN (*1946)

Irland / Ireland, 1973

gelatin silver bromide print, printed ca. 1973

21,8 x 27,8 cm

© Wilhelm Schürmann

WILLIAM KLEIN (1928-2022)

New York, 1954

gelatin silver print, printed 1981

44,2 x 33 cm

© VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024

UMBO (Otto Umbehr) (1902-1980)

Selbst / Self, from the Portfolio 'Umbo. 10 Photographien 1927-1930', ca. 1930

gelatin silver print, printed 1980 by Christine Sander under the supervision of Umbo, published by Galerie Rudolf Kicken, Cologne 1980

29 x 22 cm

© Galerie Rudolf Kicken, Cologne 1980

ARNOLD NEWMAN (1918-2006)

Pablo Picasso, Vallauris, France, 1954

gelatin silver contact print, printed ca. 1954

11,9 x 9,6 cm

© Estate of the Artist

JAROMÍR FUNKE (1896-1945)

Z cyklu 'Cas trva' / from the cycle 'Time lasts', 1937

gelatin silver print, from the portfolio 'Modern Czech Photography', edited and accompanying text by Karel Teige, published by Nakladatelstvi práce 1943

38,7 x 28,7 cm

© 2024 Miloslava Rupešová

SIGMAR POLKE (1941–2010)

Untitled, 1982

egg-white glazing paint on gelatin silver print

40,4 x 50,5 cm

© The Estate of Sigmar Polke / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2024

ERWIN BLUMENFELD (1897–1969)

Henri à la Picasso, Paris, 1936

gelatin silver print, printed ca. 1936

34,1 x 27,2 cm

© Estate of Erwin Blumenfeld

JAROSLAV RÖSSLER (1902-1990)

Eine Ecke im Atelier Drtikols / A corner of Drtikol's studio, 1926

gelatin silver bromide print, toned with tea, printed 1976

24,6 x 23,4 cm

© Sylva Vítová-Rösslerová

WERNER MANTZ (1901-1983)

Brücke in Köln / Bridge in Cologne, 1928

gelatin silver print, mounted, printed 1977

16,6 x 22,5 cm

© Werner Mantz / Nederlands Fotomuseum / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2024

GABRIELE AND HELMUT NOTHHELFER (*1945; *1945)

Amateurphotograph am "Tag der offenen Tür" in der Schule der Bereitschaftspolizei in Ruhleben, Berlin / Amateur photographer at the "open house" of the riot police in Ruhleben, Berlin, 1975

gelatin silver print, printed ca. 1975

30,3 x 21,8 cm

© Gabriele und Helmut Nothhelfer / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024

BERND JANSEN (*1945)

Helfried Hagenberg, "Das Auge des Gedankens", ca. 1974-1975

gelatin silver print

22,4 x 34,1 cm

© Bernd Jansen

HEINRICH RIEBESEHL (1938–2010)

2/9/69, 20.11.1969, from the portfolio 'Menschen im Fahrstuhl, 20.11.1969'

gelatin silver print, printed 2007 by Jochen Rohner under the supervision of Heinrich Riebesehl, published 2007 by Galerie Kicken Berlin

13,4 x 19,7 cm

© Gallery Kicken Berlin, 2007

HEINRICH RIEBESEHL (1938–2010)

6/34/69, 20.11.1969, from the portfolio 'Menschen im Fahrstuhl, 20.11.1969'

gelatin silver print, printed 2007 by Jochen Rohner under the supervision of Heinrich Riebesehl, published 2007 by Galerie Kicken Berlin

13,4 x 19,7 cm

© Gallery Kicken Berlin, 2007

HEINRICH RIEBESEHL (1938–2010)

2/22/69, 20.11.1969, from the portfolio 'Menschen im Fahrstuhl, 20.11.1969'

gelatin silver print, printed 2007 by Jochen Rohner under the supervision of Heinrich Riebesehl, published 2007 by Galerie Kicken Berlin

13,4 x 19,7 cm

© Gallery Kicken Berlin, 2007

HEINRICH RIEBESEHL (1938–2010)

3/4/69, 20.11.1969, from the portfolio 'Menschen im Fahrstuhl, 20.11.1969'

gelatin silver print, printed 2007 by Jochen Rohner under the supervision of Heinrich Riebesehl, published 2007 by Galerie Kicken Berlin

13,4 x 19,7 cm

© Gallery Kicken Berlin, 2007

SIBYLLE BERGEMANN (1941–2010)

Alexanderplatz, Berlin, 1967

gelatin silver print, printed ca. 1967

22,2 x 33,2 cm

© Nachlass Sibylle Bergemann / Ostkreuz

JOSEF SUDEK (1896-1976)

My Studio Window, 1940-54

gelatin silver print, printed ca. 1940-54

17 x 11,7 cm

© Gabina Fárová

JAROSLAV RÖSSLER (1902-1990)

Paris II, ca. 1930

gelatin silver print, printed later

15,5 x 18,1 cm

© Sylva Vítová-Rösslerová

KLAUS KINOLD (1939-2021)

Emilia Romagna, Street Scene, 1985, from 'Klaus Kinold Portfolio', 1981-1985

gelatin silver print, printed 1986 by Susanne Trappmann under supervision of Klaus Kinold, published by Rudolf Kicken Gallery, 1986

14,5 x 45,5 cm

© Estate of Klaus Kinold / Rudolf Kicken Galerie, Cologne, 1986

ANDRÉ KERTÉSZ (1894–1985)

Broken Plate, Paris, 1929

gelatin silver print, mounted, printed 1973, from the portfolio 'Photographs. Vol.I: 1913-1929' published by Light Gallery, New York 1973

19,3 x 24,4 cm

© Estate of André Kertész 2024 / Courtesy Archive Consulting and Management Services LLC

ANDRÉ KERTÉSZ (1894–1985)

Meudon, 1928

gelatin silver print, mounted, printed 1973, from the portfolio 'Photographs. Vol.I: 1913-1929' published by Light Gallery, New York 1973

24,4 x 19,4 cm

© Estate of André Kertész 2024 / Courtesy Archive Consulting and Management Services LLC

HARRY CALLAHAN (1912–1999)

Aix-en-Provence (Grasses and Trees), 1957

gelatin silver bromide print, mounted, printed 1972, from the portfolio 'Landscapes 1941-1971', Light Gallery, New York

17,7 x 22,7 cm

© Estate of Harry Callahan

ALBERT RENGER-PATZSCH (1897-1966)

Zeche Germania, Dortmund-Marten / Germania Colliery, Dortmund-Marten, 1935

gelatin silver print, printed ca. 1935

16,7 x 22,6 cm

© Ann und Jürgen Wilde, Zülpich / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2024

EVELYN RICHTER (1930-2021)

ND Druckerei, an der Linotype, ca. 1960-1962

gelatin silver print, printed ca. 1987

19,7 x 30,1 cm

© Evelyn Richter Archiv der Ostdeutschen Sparkassenstiftung im Museum der bildenden Künste Leipzig

LISETTE MODEL (1901-1983)

Circus Man, Nice, 1933-1938

gelatin silver print, mounted, printed later

49,8 x 39,6 cm

© 2024 Estate of Lisette Model

WILHELM SCHÜRMANN (*1946)

Mutter und Tochter, Steinhammerstraße, Dortmund / Mother and Daughter, Steinhammerstraße, Dortmund, 1979-1981

gelatin silver print, printed 2015

21,8 x 27,8 cm

© Wilhelm Schürmann

SIBYLLE BERGEMANN (1941–2010)

Schokoladenfabrik, Dortmund, aus der Serie 'Arbeitswelt' / Chocolate Factory, Dortmund, from the series 'Workplace', 1990

gelatin silver print, early print

24,9 x 36,7 cm

© Nachlass Sibylle Bergemann / Ostkreuz

SIBYLLE BERGEMANN (1941–2010)

Untitled, from the series 'Workplace', n.d. (early 1990s)

gelatin silver print, early print

18 x 27,2 cm

© Nachlass Sibylle Bergemann / Ostkreuz

GABRIELE AND HELMUT NOTHHELFER (*1945; *1945)

Pfingstmontag auf dem Winterfeldtplatz, Berlin / Whit Monday at Winterfeldtplatz, Berlin, 1988

gelatin silver print, gold-toned, printed ca. 1988

20,9 x 29,7 cm

© Gabriele und Helmut Nothhelfer / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024

ERWIN BLUMENFELD (1897–1969)

In the Shadow of the Eiffel Tower, 1938

gelatin silver print, printed ca. 1938

50,4 x 40,5 cm

© The Estate of Erwin Blumenfeld

HAROLD E. EDGERTON (1903-1990)

Pentolite Cube, 1950-1951

gelatin silver print, printed ca. 1950s

35,5 x 28 cm

© 2024 Estate of Harold Edgerton

PHILIPPE HALSMAN (1906–1979)

Dalí with Rhinozeros, 1952

gelatin silver print, printed 1981 by Stephen Gersh, from the portfolio 'Halsman/Dalí', published by Neikrug Press, New York 1981

25,5 x 32,9 cm

© Philippe Halsman Estate

HAROLD E. EDGERTON (1903-1990)

Schuß durch die Seifenblase / Bullet through the soap-bubble, ca. 1967

gelatin silver print, printed ca. late 1960s-early 1970s

30,3 x 24,6 cm

© 2024 Estate of Harold Edgerton

AARON SISKIND (1903-1991)

New York 2, 1951

gelatin silver print, printed ca. 1951

33,9 x 26,5 cm

© 2024 Estate of Aaron Siskind

ARNO FISCHER (1927–2011)

Ost-Berlin, 1957

gelatin silver print, printed before 1998

28 x 41,1 cm

© Erbengemeinschaft Arno Fischer

ARNO FISCHER (1927–2011)

Ost-Berlin, 1958

gelatin silver print, printed before 1998

28 x 41,1 cm

© Erbengemeinschaft Arno Fischer

HEINRICH KÜHN (1866-1944)

Untitled (Landscape), ca. 1900

oil print

23,5 x 30,3 cm

© Estate of the Artist

HELMAR LERSKI (1870-1956)

'Frau eines Chauffeurs' aus der Serie 'Köpfe des Alltags' / 'Wife of a Chauffeur' from the series 'Köpfe des Alltags', 1929

gelatin silver print, printed ca. 1929

22,7 x 16,9 cm

© Estate Helmar Lerski / Fotografische Sammlung, Museum Folkwang, Essen

On the occasion of the Berlin Gallery Weekend, Kicken Berlin is dedicating the exhibition 50 Years | 50 Photographs to mark the gallery's 50th anniversary. Selected by Wilhelm Schürmann - collector, photographer and, in 1974, the gallery’s founding partner together with Rudolf Kicken (†2014) - the exhibition presents works from 50 years of gallery history in Aachen, Cologne and Berlin.

To this day, the almost 250 exhibitions, numerous publications and editions reflect the history of contemporary and historical photography and the pioneering work of its mediation. The gallery's work has always focused on the most important developments in photography since the invention of the medium, as well as selected contemporary positions: from Nineteenth century Pictorialism to the interwar avant-gardes of Bauhaus, the New Vision and New Objectivity - still highly relevant today - the influential Czech modernism, the international movement of Subjective Photography originating in Germany in the 1950s, American New Color Photography and the artistic documentary movements in both East and West Germany since the 1970s, to name but a few.

In 1974, Kicken and Schürmann opened the first show at the "Lichttropfen" (Drops of Light) gallery in Aachen, one of the first galleries in Europe to specialize in the medium of photography. The gallerists were part of a new and fresh younger generation who sought to establish photography in all its aspects as an equal medium in the art world. Networking in and connections to the U.S., where photography was already more esteemed, were as essential as the European representation of Tennyson Schad’s seminal New York Light Gallery. Attending art fairs such as Art Basel or Art Cologne – Cologne being the location of Galerie Rudolf Kicken since 1979 – was an important contribution. The “photo family” was in constant dialogue: it was Bernd Becher for example who recommended to discuss American color photography. Contemporary photographers opened up particular new visions which were vital to the young gallerists. Altogether it was an important concern for Kicken and Schürmann to reestablish masters of the photographic avantgarde who had fallen into oblivion onto the open stage. Cooperations with museums and collections such as Rheinisches Landesmuseum Bonn or Hannover-based Kestner-Gesellschaft helped to generate public awareness for the photography of the Bauhaus or artists like Werner Mantz or Umbo. Another core subject was the Czech avantgarde: Kicken and Schürmann were able to still meet some of their protagonists in person, like Josef Sudek or Jaroslav Rössler, in Prague and made their works accessible to a greater public.

50 Years | 50 Photographs will reflect the five decades of gallery work in Aachen, Cologne and Berlin with works by selected artists. These include among others Sibylle Bergemann, Ed van der Elsken, Robert Frank, Lee Friedlander, Jaromír Funke, André Kertész, Heinrich Kühn, Werner Mantz, Lisette Model, Gabriele and Helmut Nothhelfer, Helga Paris, Albert Renger-Patzsch, Jaroslav Rössler, Christer Strömholm, Josef Sudek and Umbo.
(Carolin Förster)